Theresa May’s most memorable looks from parliament's most talked about shoe closet as she heads to 10 Downing Street
Following Andrea Leadsom's withdrawal from the Conservative Party leadership race two days ago, Theresa May has had very little time to get used to her new role as Prime Minister let alone contemplate packing.
And while for many the prospect of moving to 10 Downing Street would be somewhat daunting, the Prime Minister in waiting has an altogether more formidable challenge on her hands.
As David Cameron takes down his ornaments and packs away his navy suits, May has to carefully gather together one of the most talked-about shoe wardrobes of this decade. And we all know shoes don’t take kindly to a suitcase.
But despite her footwear being given a surprising amount of media attention during her time in the spotlight, May - who declined to reveal how many pairs she owns when talking to the Standard, but protested that it's certainly fewer than Imelda Marcos - has seemingly relished the opportunity to showcase a new kitten heel or yet another leopard print flat.
But many see the obsession with our future Prime Minister’s footwear as unnecessary, with some going so far as to call it sexist.
On Good Morning Britain this week, hosts Susanna Reid and Piers Morgan clashed over the coverage.
Speaking to former Tory minister Esther McVey on the show, Reid asked: “Does this frustrate you – the constant focus on Theresa May’s shoes?” But before McVey could answer, Morgan jumped in saying: “She’s worn those heels specifically so we can talk about them. It’s part of her thing!”
Answering Reid’s question, McVey seemed unfazed by the prospect, suggesting that it probably “brings a smile” to May’s face in cabinet meetings. “To see a little bit of personality on her feet… and that she has got something else to say. It’s a subtle way of giving away a little bit of her personality”.
We only hope number 10 has the wardrobe space to cater for such a personality.
ArticleTheresa May: 30 looks from parliament's most talked about shoe closetTheresa MayPrime MinisterSusanna ReidEsther McVeyPiers MorganConservative Partyandrea leadsomDavid CameronImelda MarcosTheresa May’s most memorable looks from parliament's most talked about shoe closetThe future Prime Minister is ready for her move to 10 Downing Street
Theresa May's finest footwear - in pictures
Theresa May's finest footwear - in pictures
-
1/30 November 4, 2014
Wearing leopard print kitten-heel courts as she leaves Downing Street after attending cabinet
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty
-
2/30 October 5, 2009
Wearing red and black snakeskin courts on the stage as they address delegates at the Conservative Party Conference
Christopher Furlong/Getty
-
3/30 October 5, 2004
Wearing powder blue and black floral patterned ballet pumps as she arrives at the Bournemouth International Conference Center
Jim Watson/AFP/Getty
-
4/30 December 9, 2010
Wearing knee-high red suede boot as she leaves a cabinet meeting in Downing Street
Matthew Lloyd/Getty
-
5/30 November 5, 2013
Wearing over-the-knee patent boots as she arrives on Horse Guards in central London during the visit of South Korean President Park Geun-Hye
Sean Dempsey/AFP/Getty
-
6/30 June 27, 2016
Wearing pointed leopard print courts to a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street
Leon Neal/AFP/Getty
-
7/30 May 3, 2011
Wearing patent powder blue court shoes as she arrives in Downing Street to attend a Cabinet meeting
Oli Scarff/Getty
-
8/30 October 9, 2012
Wearing pointed leopard print courts with a burgundy print insert to deliver her speech to delegates during the third day of the annual Conservative Party Conference
Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty
-
9/30 October 16, 2012
Wearing pointed leopard print courts as she arrives at Number 10 Downing Street to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting
Oli Scarff/Getty
-
10/30 February 5, 2013
Wearing over-the-knee patent boots as she walks into Downing Street to attend a security meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty
-
11/30 March 17, 2014
Wearing black lace up patent brogues with diamond studs as she launches HMC Protector
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty
-
12/30 June 5, 2013
Wearing pointed black patent sling backs as she attends the preview party for The Royal Academy Of Arts Summer Exhibition
Tim P. Whitby/Getty
-
13/30 June 23, 2013
Wearing Union Jack emblazoned trainers as she presents medals during the third day of the 2013 Samsung World Rowing Cup II at Eton Dorney
-
14/30 September 30, 2013
Wearing black lace up patent brogues with diamond studs as she delivers her speech in the main hall on the second day of the Conservative Party Conference
Oli Scarff/Getty
-
15/30 June 10, 2014
Wearing snakeskin kitten-heel courts as she arrives for a cabinet meeting in Downing Street
Carl Court/AFP/Getty
-
16/30 June 11, 2014
Wearing patent red flats with pink bow detailing as she leaves the Royal United Services Institute
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty
-
17/30 September 30, 2014
Wearing navy suede courts with a chunky heel as she addresses the Conservative Party Conference
Matt Cardy/Getty
-
18/30 March 3, 2015
Wearing over-the-knee patent boots as she arrives for a Ceremonial Welcome for the President of Mexico
Leon Neal/AFP/Getty
-
19/30 May 21, 2015
Wearing gold studded black flats as she and David Cameron are accompanied by immigration enforcement officers into a home in Southall in London following an early morning raid on the property that yielded three arrests of illegal immigrants
Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty
-
20/30 July 8, 2015
Wearing black pointed flats with a red and pink kiss print as she leaves 10 Downing Street
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty
-
21/30 October 6, 2015
Wearing black suede courts with a chunky heel on the third day of the annual Conservative party conference
Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty
-
22/30 October 7, 2015
Wearing red, yellow and turquoise printed courts as she arrives for the fourth and final day of the Conservative Party Conference
Christopher Furlong/Getty
-
23/30 March 22, 2016
Wearing black suede shoe boots with a leopard print insert as she leaves 10 Downing Street
Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty
-
24/30 July 12, 2016
Wearing leopard print pointed flats as she leaves after attending a Cabinet meeting at Downing Street
Carl Court/Getty
-
25/30 December 15, 2004
Wearing calf-length suede boots in plum as she arrives at the 'Woman's Own Children Of Courage Award' at Westminster Abbey
MJ Kim/Getty
-
26/30 September 30, 2007
Wearing yellow and black patterned wellies during the 124th annual Conservative Party Conference at the Winter Gardens
Christopher Furlong/Getty
-
27/30 November 8, 2007
Wearing black pointed courts with silver ankle strap as she arrives at the Woman Of The Future Awards
Jo Hale/Getty
-
28/30 April 26, 2009
Wearing open-toe leopard print flats to speak at the Conservative Party Spring Forum
Matt Cardy/Getty
-
29/30 June 15, 2010
Wearing a patent red wedge as she arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting in Downing Street
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty
-
30/30 July 6, 2010
Wearing rainbow striped pointed pumps as she arrives in Downing Street
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty